The Relationship of Aberrant Facet Joint Orientations and Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Abstract：Objective To explore the cause-effect relationship between facet joint orientations and lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.Methods 120 patients with Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis at L4~5 who were hospitalized in Nanfang Hospital from 2013 to 2015 were included in this study.120 patients with Isthemic Spondylolisthesis at L4~5 who were hospitalized in Nanfang Hospital from 2013 to 2015 were included in this study.The control group was consisted of 120 spinal disease-free people who came for annual physical examination in Nanfang hospital.The orientations of the lumbar facet joints were analyzed based on CT tomography images.At the segments of L2~3,L3~4,L4~5 and L5S1,facet joint angulations were measured and the correlation of angulation at L3~4,L4~5 were analyzed.Results There was no significant difference between Lumbar Isthemic Spondylolisthesis (LIS group) and the control group (LS-free group)in facet joints (P>0.05).There was significant difference between lumbardegenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS group) and the control group (LS-free group)in facet joints (P<0.01).There was no significant difference between different degree degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in facet joint angle at L2~3,L3~4 and L5S1.L3~4 and L4~5 (P>0.05).There was a linear correlation between L3~4 and L4~5 facet joint angle(R=0.575).Conclusion Spondylolisthesis had no effect on the facet joint angle at adjacent segment,and the angle of facet joint at different segments was linearly correlated.The angle of facet joint at different segments in LDS groupwere less than LS-free group,and the joint structure other than bony elements seemed to be the early pathological change of facet joints.The bony structure change of facet joints that based on bone remolding adapted to mechanical burden was secondary to ongoing slippage.